The map shows the campsites that we've used in the KwaZulu-Natal over the past few years.
Below the map is information about them, listed in alphabetical order. You can click on the places on the map or scroll down the page. Because of the campsite links the map image will not change size on different devices.
Information about the campsites is given in alphabetical order.
We have stayed at several of the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife campsites. Their website is now much improved and you can book online for some of the camps,others have to be contacted by phone.
Campsite Information
Cape Vidal
Last visited: May 2021
Location: 30km north of St Lucia. S28.12221° E32.55594°
Contact: Run by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. book direct 035 590 9012 (you cannot book online) www.kznwildlife.com/Cape%20Vidal.html
Cost: R260 per night plus Park fees.
Ablutions: Clean,hot water.
Electric: Yes.
Sites: 45 marked sites set amongst the dune forest. Most have shade. No braai facilities.
Other: Cape VIdal is very popular with fishermen and is often fully booked. It's a short walk through the dunes to the beach or you can walk/drive to the boat access to the beach. There's a shop which has basic supplies. Cape VIdal is within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park which you can drive around. You have to pay Park fees at the Park entrance. Rhino Club members are not charged but Wild Card All Clusters members do have to pay.
Chelmsford Nature Reserve. Sandford Site.
Last visited: October 2018
Location: 20km south of Newcastle. S28 00 08.8 E29 52 03.9
Contact: Run by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. www.kznwildlife.com/Chelmsford.html
Cost: See website - online booking available.
Ablutions: In need of some TLC. Hot water.
Electric: Yes.
Sites: There are 20 marked pitches next to the dam. Some have shade.
Other: The Reserve get busy at weekends and during the school holidays as it's popular for fishing. There is nother campsite at Leokop which is not as well looked after. The road to Leokop is tar but after that it's dirt to the Sandford campsite and can get muddy after rain and there might be ruts and potholes. You can drive around the reserve which has zebra, springbok, wildebeest, oribi and jackal. We reallly like this site and always use it if we're heading north, however we try to avoid staying on a friday or saturday.
Hluhluwe. Bonamanzi Game Reserve
Last visited: May 2021
Location: 20km south of Hluhluwe. S28.05685° E32.29517° (Reeption)
Contact: bonamanzi.co.za
Cost: We stayed at site 10 which is an 'executive' site and cost R500 for 2 people per night. There is a conservation levy of R100 per day.
Ablutions: Spotless. Hot water.
Electric: Yes.
Sites: Sites 7 to 10 are large and have shade and are set around the ablution block. The 'executive' sites have their own ablutions which also contain a small kitchen area. Each site has a braai, water and electric point.
Kelso. Happy Wanderers Holiday Resort
Last visited: August 2019
Location: 60 km south of Durban. S30.35441° E30.71760°
Contact: happywanderers.co.za
Ablutions: Clean. Hot water.
Electric: Yes.
Sites: Lots of marked pitches, many have good shade.
Kokstad. Mount Currie Nature Reserve.
Last visited: April 2021
Location: A few km west of Kokstad. S30.50193° E29.39851°
Contact: Run by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. Book Direct: 082 379 7775 (you cannot book online) www.kznwildlife.com/Mount%20Currie.html
Cost: R80pppn. Cash only.
Ablutions: Clean. Hot water.
Electric: Yes. Long leads needed for some sites.
Sites: 10 large sites, some overlooking the dam. Most have shade.
Monk's Cowl
Last visited: January 2012
Location: S29.04819° E29.40600°
Contact: www.kznwildlife.com/Monks%20Cowl.html
Ablutions: Clean. Hot water.
Electric: Yes.
Sites: The campsite is next to the entrance gate of the Reserve. Lots of grassy sites, a few have shade. Lovely views from many of the sites.
Mtunzini. Umlalazi Nature Reserve
Last visited: May 2021
Location: Eastern side of Mtunzini S28.95410° E31.76649°
Contact: www.kznwildlife.com/uMlalazi.html
Cost: R200 per night (up to 6 people). You can book online.
Ablutions: In need of a little TLC. Clean. Hot water.
Electric: Yes.
Sites: This time we stayed at the Indaba campsite which has 13 marked sites each with a braai and monkey-proof bin, however the braai's have a fixed grill so not ideal. The site is set amongst the trees so it’s sheltered and all the sites have shade.
Other: There is another larger campsite (Inkwazi) nearby which we have stayed at before and has an open grass area as well as sites amongst the trees. Thre are several walking trails - the Mangrove Walkway has been repaired recently. It's a short walk/drive to the lagoon which is popular with fishermen and you can drive to the beach.
Oribi. Lake Eland Game Reserve.
Last visited: August 2019
Location: About 35km west of Port Shepstone. 30.73831° E30.16196°
Contact: www.lakeeland.co.za
Ablutions: Clean. Hot water.
Electric: No.
Sites: The sites are set out alongside Lake Eland. Each has a braai and shelter.
Other: This site is popular with fishermen and gets busy at weekends and during the school holidays. It's quite a way from the Entrance and the road isquite steep and uneven in some places. There is another campsite near the Reception area (which also has a shop, bar and restaurant) which does have electric points. You can drive or walk in the Reserve and there are other activites including the longest zip line tour in South Africa.
Salt Rock
Last visited: June 2014
Location: S29.50445° E31.23679°
Contact: https://www.saltrockbeach.co.za/caravan-park/
Cost: R400 per night
Ablutions: Clean. Hot water.
Electric: Yes.
Sites: Marked pitches which are quite small. The ones closer to the sea have no shade. Further back there are shady pitches.
Scottburgh Caravan Park
Last visited: July 2019
Location: Eastern side of Scottburgh. S30.28328° E30.75942°
Contact: https://www.scottburghcaravanpark.co.za
Cost: see website.
Ablutions: Clean. Hot showers.
Electric: Yes.
Sites: There are sites which overlook the sea (which is where we stayed on our last visit) but it can get very windy. The sites further back are more sheltered and have some shade.
Spioenkop
Last visited: January 2012
Location: S28 41 55.3 E29 30 15.3
Contact: Run by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. Book Direct: 036 488 1578 (you cannot book online) www.kznwildlife.com/Spioenkop.html
Ablutions: Clean, but a bit run down.Hot water.
Electric: No.
Sites: Unmarked sites next to the dam, a few have shade.
Underberg. Cobham Nature Reserve
Last visited: January 2012
Location: S29 42 14.3 E29 24 54.1
Contact: Run by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. Book Direct: 0 33 702 0831 (you cannot book online) www.kznwildlife.com/Cobham.html
Ablutions: Clean, but a bit run down.Hot water.
Electric: No.
Sites: Camp where you want on a large site either in the open or under tall gum trees.
Other: In a lovely location with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. There's a nearby river for swimming and several walks from the site. From Himeville it's a gravel road which we've always found to be in good condition. There's an interesting museum in Himeville (the nearest town) and the Himeville Arms does great food.